THE
P RTAL
December 2017
Page 17
News from the Ordinariate
Homeless Bus to get home at St Agathas
T his project
aims to use a converted double decker bus as the first step in a programme to provide
help and support to some of Portsmouth’s 40 rough sleepers. The converted Routemaster donated by
Stagecoach, went on display at Fratton Park, the home of Portsmouth FC, on 26th November.
supporters to see what else should be provided to
those rough sleeping here in the City. Among the top
issues the Project has identified is providing access to
medical, psychological and addiction services. Rough
sleepers are far more likely to have a diagnosed mental
health problem, or are recovering from, an alcohol
The bus, the brainchild of Joanne Vines and Sammy problem. Worryingly, people sleeping on the street
Barcroft, is being made available to Portsmouth as are also 17 times more likely to have been victims of
Government figures show rough sleeping in England violence. More than one in three people sleeping rough
has rocketed. Between 2010-2016 it soared by over 130 have been deliberately hit or kicked or experienced
per cent from 1,800 to over 4,000 on any given night some other form of violence, whilst the life expectancy
and despite various Government initiatives, official of a homeless person is just 47.
estimates suggest that each year around 34,500 people
Fr Robert Dolling was the priest of St Agatha’s
will sleep rough.
between 1885-1895. A great social reformer, he
Fr Maunder continued, “What has been particularly frequently challenged authorities to do more to
impressive is the energy and support that Joanne and improve the lives of his parishioners’, including the
Sammy have received from local people, organisations appalling state of their housing.
and companies; from Highbury College for the bunks,
Genie Acrylics for all the vinyls and GJC electricals
Fr Maunder concluded, “It is important that we
for converting the bus electrics, to name a few. This engage with all the citizens of Portsmouth so that
really has been a team effort, and everyone involved we can all work together to help some of the most
should feel extremely proud of their achievements.”
vulnerable people in the city. Over a hundred years ago
Robert Dolling shared a common platform with anyone
The idea of the Robert Dolling project followed a prepared to help feed and shelter those who had been
meeting between Fr Maunder and a group of the Bus’s abandoned. We now invite people to do the same”.
Fr Maunder from St Agathas’ commented, “When I
heard about this incredible community-based project,
I knew this church could help by providing a base,
because we are close to an existing group of rough
sleepers and have the space to accommodate it.”
Ordination
O
n Tuesday 24 th October Ian Westby
became the newest priest of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of
Walsingham, when he was ordained in St Mary’s Church, Stockton
on Tees, by the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle. With Mgr
Newton’s blessing Fr Westby will continue to serve at St Mary’s.
Fr Ian is the priest between Bishop Seamus Cunningham of
Hexham & Newcastle (top left) and Mgr Keith Newton (right).
The priest to the left of the Bishop) is Fr John Cooper, parish
priest of St Cuthbert’s in Stockton.
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